Stronger US growth, sticky inflation and a big delivery-industry merger lead Thursday’s news. Tech financing, fresh antitrust scrutiny and an overnight trade order are also shaping the picture as the US session continues.
In Simple Words
The economy is still growing, but higher prices are eating much of the rise in household spending. Meanwhile, companies are chasing large acquisitions and raising fresh money, so regulatory approvals and financing terms matter more than ever.
US growth accelerates as domestic demand strengthens
The US economy grew faster in the latest quarter, helped by consumer spending, investment and government outlays. Private domestic demand also gained strength, which shows the expansion went beyond swings in trade and inventories.
| Economic measure | Latest quarter | Previous quarter |
|---|---|---|
| Real GDP growth, annualized | 3.4% | 2.2% |
| Real private domestic final sales, annualized | 4.9% | 4.6% |
| Reporting period | July–September | April–June |
Inflation eats most of the rise in consumer spending
September’s inflation report showed household spending up in dollar terms, while inflation-adjusted consumption barely moved. Prices are climbing faster than disposable income, so the picture for purchasing power is weaker than the headline suggests.
Also Read: Top US Earnings Today, October 29, 2026: Lilly, Mastercard, Caterpillar, Merck, Quanta and More
| September measure | Monthly change | Annual change |
|---|---|---|
| PCE inflation | 0.5% | 3.6% |
| Core PCE inflation | 0.3% | 3.1% |
| Consumer spending, current dollars | 0.5% | — |
| Consumer spending, inflation-adjusted | Less than 0.1% | — |
Jobless claims edge lower
Fresh applications for unemployment benefits fell again, a sign that layoffs remain limited. Continuing claims also dropped, adding to the resilient labour-market signals that arrived alongside the stronger growth data.
| Labour-market measure | Latest reading | Weekly change |
|---|---|---|
| Initial claims, week ended October 24 | 194,000 | Down 1,000 |
| Continuing claims, week ended October 17 | 1.701 million | Down 21,000 |
DoorDash agrees to buy Instacart
DoorDash announced a definitive deal to acquire Instacart, combining its delivery network with Instacart’s grocery technology, retailer ties and ad business. The two will run independently until closing, and shareholder and regulatory approvals are still needed.
| Deal detail | Terms |
|---|---|
| Value per Instacart share | $65 |
| Approximate equity value | $17 billion |
| Minimum cash portion | 75% |
| Expected closing | Late 2027 or first half of 2028 |
Microsoft prepares a large return to the US bond market
Microsoft is lining up a big US bond sale, according to reports. It would be the company’s first US investment-grade offering in years and would put a sizeable new borrowing need in front of the corporate debt market. Final pricing and proceeds depend on execution.
| Financing detail | Reported plan |
|---|---|
| Target borrowing | At least $25 billion |
| Previous US investment-grade offering | 2017 |
Nvidia’s planned Hugging Face purchase draws antitrust questions
US Justice Department officials are asking questions about Nvidia’s proposed acquisition of Hugging Face, according to reports that emerged overnight. The concern is whether owning a key AI distribution platform could disadvantage rival chipmakers.
Also Read: Top US Earnings Today, October 28, 2026: GE Vernova, Vertiv, Biogen, Labcorp and More
| Deal detail | Reported position |
|---|---|
| Proposed purchase value | $12.93 billion |
| Regulatory development | Justice Department inquiries |
| Expected closing | First half of 2027 |
White House orders talks on robotics imports
An overnight proclamation told US trade officials to negotiate with foreign partners over imports of robotics, industrial machinery and related parts after a national-security review. No new tariffs were imposed, but further restrictions remain possible, which matters for manufacturers planning equipment purchases.
| Policy detail | Position |
|---|---|
| Immediate new tariffs | None |
| First negotiating progress report | Within 180 days |
| Products covered | Robotics, industrial machinery, components |
Quantum Space moves closer to a public listing
Quantum Space and its merger partner said their registration statement is now effective, pushing the deal toward a shareholder vote. Completion still needs approval and other closing conditions, and the money raised will go to spacecraft development and production.
| Listing milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| Committed private-placement financing | About $300 million |
| Merger shareholder vote | November 20, 2026 |
| Planned listing | NYSE: QSPC, subject to approval |
Blue Laser Fusion closes financing and reverse merger
Blue Laser Fusion completed a capital raise and a public listing through a reverse merger. The proceeds will fund engineering and development work in defence lasers and fusion technology.
| Financing component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total proceeds announced | $34 million |
| Initial private placement included | $25 million |
Solink raises fresh capital for AI video technology
Solink announced a new funding round for its AI video-intelligence business, which pulls operating insights from security-camera footage. The round adds to investor interest in AI tools built on existing business infrastructure rather than chatbots and models.
Also Read: Top US Market News Today, October 28, 2026: Trade, Takeovers and AI Funding
| Funding detail | Announced amount |
|---|---|
| New capital raised | More than $100 million |
Lagarde to leave the ECB early
Christine Lagarde said she will step down as European Central Bank president ahead of schedule, starting a leadership transition at a major global central bank. European leaders will now choose her successor, a process US investors will watch for its bearing on interest-rate and funding conditions.
| Leadership detail | Date |
|---|---|
| Planned departure | February 7, 2027 |
| Previously scheduled term expiry | October 2027 |
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Financial markets involve risk. Always conduct your own research and consult a qualified financial adviser before making investment decisions. OneTrader.in is not responsible for any financial losses arising from the use of this information.
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